- Arsenal academy product Nathan Tella cites Thierry Henry and Theo Walcott as his role models and inspirations.
- ‘Embarrassed’ when he was released by Arsenal without a professional contract, Tella persevered and found success with Southampton and Burnley.
- Tella’s journey highlights the challenges young players face and the importance of resilience in the world of professional football.
From the time Nathan Tella stepped onto the hallowed grounds of Arsenal’s Hale End Academy, he had big dreams.
As a dedicated Arsenal fan, Tella had always looked up to Gunners legends Thierry Henry and Theo Walcott as his role models. The young winger would spend hours trying to emulate their skills on the pitch, with varying degrees of success.
Little did he know that his journey would take him away from the club he adored, with stints at Southampton and Burnley, as he fought to make a name for himself in professional football.
In a recent interview with Football Daily, Tella opened up about his admiration for Henry and Walcott, and how their careers inspired him.
“I’ve always been an Arsenal fan and at that time I’d look at Thierry Henry and say he was my biggest inspiration in football,” Tella said.
“He’s someone I tried to model my game after. Of course, at seven years old you can’t really say you play like someone, but the stuff he was doing in games I would try to do with my local team.”
🗣️ “Always been an Arsenal fan, Thierry Henry was my biggest inspiration. Growing up I started to look at Theo Walcott who moved from Southampton to Arsenal.” 🔴
Nathan Tella reveals the footballers he looked up to from an early age pic.twitter.com/9riEcDb8Ir
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) May 6, 2023
Over the years, Tella worked tirelessly in Arsenal’s academy, honing his skills and earning a reputation as a promising talent.
However, fate had other plans for him. In 2017, after a decade at the club, he was released without a professional contract. The experience was a tough one for Tella, who admitted to feeling embarrassed about having to break the news to his friends and family.
“I couldn’t believe it, Arsenal was all I knew from the age of 6 when I got scouted,” Tella told Vavel.
“For me, it was a bit of an embarrassment because I didn’t know how I was going to tell all my friends and family that I was leaving Arsenal.”
Undeterred, Tella embarked on trials at Reading, Norwich, and finally Southampton, where he found a new home. He made his senior debut for the Saints in 2020, coming on as a substitute in their 3-0 Premier League victory over Norwich City.
Now on loan at Burnley, Tella has played a pivotal role in their promotion back to the Premier League, netting 17 goals and providing five assists in the Championship.
His success is a testament to his determination and the influence of his Arsenal role models.
Tella’s journey is a reminder of the challenges faced by many young players striving to make it in the world of professional football.
Some manage to work their way back up the ranks, while others aren’t so fortunate.
Tella’s story is one of resilience and inspiration, showing that with hard work and dedication, dreams can come true.